A good tattoo can still heal badly without proper care. Healing varies from person to person, and artists use different wraps and products, so always follow the instructions your own artist gives you first. Use this guide to understand what is normal.
Day 0 to 2: fresh and tender
The tattoo will be red, a little swollen and sore, and it may ooze a clear or slightly coloured fluid. Your artist will cover it and tell you when to take the wrap off. After that, wash your hands, rinse the tattoo gently with lukewarm water and a mild, unscented soap, pat it dry with a clean paper towel and let it air dry for a few minutes.
Day 3 to 7: dry, itchy and flaky
The tattoo starts to dry and flake, and it can itch. This is normal. Apply a thin layer of the moisturiser or ointment your artist recommended. Do not scratch or pick at flakes, because that can pull ink out and leave patches.
Week 2: peeling settles
Most of the flaking ends and the surface looks a bit cloudy or dull. This is the skin healing over the ink, and the colours often look softer for a while.
Weeks 3 to 4: the surface heals
For most tattoos the top layer of skin has healed by now. The tattoo looks clearer and the shine fades.
Months 2 to 3: fully settled
Deeper layers of skin keep settling for a few months. This is when you see the final result. If any spots look patchy, ask your artist about a touch-up.
What to do
- Wash your hands before you touch the tattoo.
- Keep it clean, using lukewarm water and mild soap.
- Use only a thin layer of moisturiser. Too much can clog the skin.
- Wear loose, clean, breathable clothes over it.
- Drink water and get enough sleep. Healing is slower when you are run down.
What to avoid
- Scratching or picking at scabs and flakes.
- Soaking in swimming pools, the sea or long baths for about the first two weeks.
- Direct sun and tanning beds while it heals.
- Tight clothes that rub the area.
- Heavy sweating in the first few days, especially if the tattoo is where clothes rub.
- Thick layers of ointment.
Sun care once it has healed
Sun fades ink faster than anything else. Once the tattoo has healed, use sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher when it is exposed. This matters most for colour tattoos and thin fine line work.
What doctors say about the first week
Richard Schlanger, MD, of the Comprehensive Wound Center at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, says in a patient article that the first five to seven days are “the golden time of healing.” He also advises staying away from gyms known for germs in the early weeks, because bacteria such as MRSA can get into a fresh tattoo.
When to see a doctor
Some redness and tenderness are normal in the first days. See a doctor if you notice redness that keeps spreading, increasing pain, swelling, heat, pus, a bad smell or a fever. Medical News Today describes infection as the most common reason people see a doctor after a tattoo.
Sources
- How to care for a new tattoo, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
- Tattoo aftercare guide, Medical News Today
Questions about healing? If something looks odd, send us a clear photo on WhatsApp and we will tell you whether it looks normal. For more first-timer answers, see our tattoo FAQs.